An Update on the Tarrant Appraisal District’s Ransomware Attack

In the throes of a ransomware attack, the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) is mulling over whether to pay the hackers’ $700,000 ransom demand.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the hackers had threatened to release “sensitive” information if their demands are not met, but TAD doesn’t know if they have any information, said Lindsay B. Nickle, a cybersecurity attorney hired by the district. The district said it’s weighing its options, but doesn’t want to pay, she said.

Highlights of the attack:

• It happened March 21, and the website was still down Friday.
• It was an encrypted attack, and Medusa is the suspect.
• Hackers want a $700,000 ransom.
• TAD hired a cyber lawyer but doesn’t want to pay.
• TAD says it only keeps sales data on file.
• Residents are concerned that personal data is involved.

A Dallas cybersecurity consultant pointed out that the county appraisal office could have been more prepared for the attack.

“Tarrant County is not the victim,” said Miguel Clarke, a cybersecurity expert with a Dallas firm and former FBI agent. “We should be asking ourselves, why didn’t they do more?”

“Fort Worth residents want answers, and TAD should have been able to tell them the specifics of when it happened exactly, and what is the response plan, but they cannot because they have not been practicing for something like this to happen,” he said.

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